Building water security in a rapidly drying India
India faces severe water stress, with many cities experiencing shortages and a significant monsoon rainfall deficit. A UN report warns of global water bankruptcy, as river basins are polluted, aquifers are depleted, and a large portion of the global population lives in water-insecure countries. India's water resources are unevenly distributed, and existing infrastructure suffers from poor upkeep, inadequate wastewater treatment, and high losses. The article proposes four key actions: climate-proofing water systems, enabling water reuse for non-potable purposes, scaling up micro-irrigation systems, and closing water data gaps at the river basin level to improve decision-making and resource allocation.
Key Points
- India is experiencing severe water stress, with cities facing shortages and major river basins under stress due to declining water availability and pollution.
- Global reports indicate a looming water bankruptcy, with widespread water insecurity and depletion of aquifers.
- Existing water infrastructure in India suffers from poor maintenance, inadequate treatment, and significant losses.
- Key solutions include climate-proofing water systems, promoting water reuse, expanding micro-irrigation, and improving water data collection and analysis.
- These measures are crucial for reversing water bankruptcy and ensuring social welfare and sustainable development.
Exam Facts
- June saw a monsoon rainfall deficit of over 40%.
- Delhi's water supply plummeted to about 70% of the total demand of 1,250 million gallons per day.
- 11 out of 15 major river basins in India are experiencing water stress, with annual water availability below 1,700 m³ per person.
- The UNU-INWEH (United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health) warns of global water bankruptcy.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.